England's wide men key for future success

Many people frown upon England’s ability as a team to compete on the international Stage.

It's true that Roy Hodgson has only a narrow choice when considering who to select for his team. The Premier League has been very friendly to players who play football far beyond our seas.

This lack of talent has been indicated as a reason why England do not perform on the world stage. However, England fans should be optimistic.

There is upcoming and already established talent that can make England an all more attacking, vibrant side. At least if we do get eliminated from a major tournament we as England fans can be pleased with the positive, attacking attitude our players adopt.

And this transition will come from our wingers.

England now have pace, skill and dexterity. All those ability’s that are likened to the Brazilians we now have. But these players must be a focal part of the team so that there potential can be unleashed on the world stage.

England’s strongest; most vibrant and youthful department is that of its wingers or wing forwards. And I am not talking about the likes of James Milner and Ashley Young who are strictly wide men, pushed out to the sides.

I am talking about players who manipulate the ball in dangerous areas, playing combinations with the strikers and even getting their name on the score sheet.

The likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are perfectly suited to play further up the field alongside a striker. Walcott has been criticised for his inconsistency but hopefully his consistency will become stronger as he matures as a player.

He is only 24 after all and still has a couple of years before he should be at the best of his ability. He was Arsenal’s leading goal scorer this season and is perfect for linking up with strikers and getting in dangerous positions. Likewise his fellow teammate Oxlade-Chamberlain has pace, flair and great strength.

He is only 19 and has world-class potential having already made his debut at a major international tournament (Euro 2012).

These players possess attributes such as great technical skill and individual flair which is not common for English footballers. It is utilising the likes of Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain that can change England’s prospects significantly.

Added to this, there is already the more experienced Aaron Lennon. He is as quick as a whippet and possesses great drive when he has the ball at his feet. He can link up with the front men and enter the box with bursts of energy that will suit a modern England attacking style.

Wilfried Zaha who has just joined Manchester United from Crystal Palace has great potential and possesses the characteristics that are dominating our present day wingers. Speed, dexterity, goal scoring ability.

If Manchester United can mature him as a player and harness his potential England will have yet another world-class winger or wing-forward that can be used to great effect in a new attacking England formation.

Danny Wellbeck, could also employ this position but with a different tactical emphasis.He has great speed but his dribbling skills are mediocre. Where he could be employed tactically is exploiting the strength and speed that he has to cause trouble for the opposition.

With his build he can also learn the art of defensive covering but exploit his attacking skills on a counter attack. He is much better than James Milner and Ashley Young who are too safe on the ball, too lethargic going forward, little imagination and creativity.

In my opinion, England’s attacking wingers should give great optimism to England fans that we can play a more exciting, creative game. This not saying that England are suddenly a great team, they are not. It takes more than wingers to win a football match.

But we should at least be happy and more positive that we have an abundance of great talent ready to threaten opposition defenders.

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article. GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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